Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Participants who register for this course have the option to attend the course live and/or watch the recorded sessions later. The recording will be available to all registrants for a 2-week period after the course/each session. This allows participants who may not be able to attend the live sessions to still benefit from the course content. Please note - if you do not attend live, there will be approximately 10 minutes of images shown which will not be recorded for privacy reasons.

To facilitate attendance tracking, please indicate on your registration form if you won't be attending live.

Course Description:

Breast cancer is the most prevailing cancer among women and currently the most common diagnosed cancer worldwide. With the incredible advances seen in breast cancer management, survivorship has increased, leading to over 70% of women will be left with an impairment that can be prevented and treated by rehabilitation professionals.

This course is designed to equip healthcare professionals especially physical therapists, with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive and evidence-based care for individuals affected by breast cancer, contributing to their overall well-being and recovery. As survivorship is a unique and complex journey, physical therapists play a crucial role in supporting individuals during this phase. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by breast cancer survivors, the complexities of rehabilitation during cancer treatment and the role of physical therapy in optimizing their functional outcomes and quality of life.

Additionally, the course is designed to provide the groundwork to begin developing skills in breast cancer rehabilitative care. Drawing attention to biopsychosocial and person-centered care, this course will teach evidence-based rehabilitation techniques through all stages of treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and endocrine therapies. Rehabilitation professionals will learn to focus on all aspects of the person’s life to engage and empower patients in their recovery. Special focus will be on the practical components of assessment, soft tissue manipulation techniques along with a how to provide an appropriate therapeutic home exercise program by working with the patient’s individuals needs and meaningful goals.

By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and practical skills necessary to deliver proficient and empathetic physical therapy care for individuals grappling with breast cancer. The curriculum adopts an evidence-based and patient-centered approach, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making to enhance their holistic well-being and facilitate a successful recovery.

Restoring health during cancer treatment is more than just removing disease. The evidence is overwhelming that cancer rehabilitation is a critical part of the cancer care pathway and rehabilitation professionals are well positioned to provide the personalized care people need and want and deserve. I welcome you to embark on this journey with me by taking a deeper dive at the principles of oncology rehabilitation in individuals affected by breast cancer.

Course Objectives:

• Review the incidence, etiology and risk factors for breast cancer
• Identify the various types of breast cancers, methods of diagnosis and staging
• Recognize the various forms of treatments used for breast cancer including:
  • Understanding the various surgical techniques used in managing breast cancer including reconstruction procedures
  • Identifying the common sequelae related to chemotherapy and radiotherapy (i.e. cardiotoxicity, cancer related fatigue, radiation fibrosis, lymphedema)
  • Review the long-term implications of hormone therapy (i.e. osteoporosis, joint arthralgia, vaginal dryness)
• Overview of current evidence-based knowledge and clinical expertise related to breast cancer rehabilitation and exercise
• Understand the roadmap of rehabilitation before, during and post-cancer treatment
• Identify and treat for common musculoskeletal impairments including postural, shoulder and scapular dysfunction, scarring and soft tissue dysfunctions, axillary web syndrome and radiation fibrosis
• Evidence-based approach to lymphedema management
• Identify the general benefits of exercise for breast cancer patients
• Safely design an appropriate oncology rehab program plan derived from evidence-based guidelines and clinical and screening tools presented in course

Audience: All regulated healthcare professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses and massage therapists.

Prerequisites: None